Slyce: Brothers and Sistah’s, please welcome our sistah, Author Heather Gauthier to “The Interrogation Room”!! Welcome my sistah :-). Are you ready?
Slyce: What inspired you to become an author?
HG: I knew that I was a storyteller in life and people kept telling me I was the funniest person they had ever met. I didn’t translate that to writing until the book just sort of fell out of me. Literally, it was a delightful surprise to me. Now all I want to do is write. I dream about the day I can write full time. That would be outstanding.
Slyce: What is the name of your publishing company?
HG: I am an Indie Author. I was the creative director behind every decision big and small and published a book that I am extremely proud of.
Slyce: In what genre do you write?
HG: Memoir. “The Pilgrim’s Stone: One Woman’s Unpredictable and Authentic Journey” is hilarious but sufficiently dark as well. Most people that have read it tell me they had to read it all in one sitting because they could not put it down. That’s the ultimate compliment. I love that
Slyce: Have you penned under another name?
HG: No. The material that I write about doesn’t lend itself well to hiding behind a pen name. I have to own what I am saying. It was scary to put myself out there and it took me 2 years with a completed manuscript before I found my courage to publish. I’m glad I did it this way. I am pushing 50 years old now and it’s time I stop worrying about what other people think. Some will like what I write about and others won’t. It’s okay.
Slyce: You wrote a book titled, “The Pilgrim’s Stone: One Woman’s Unpredictable and Authentic Journey”. What was this book about?
HG: “The Pilgrim’s Stone: One Woman’s Unpredictable and Authentic Journey” is a poignant and hysterical memoir that evokes a raw tumult of emotions through my journey to self. When I was 34, I lost everything but my sense of humor. I was stripped of my home, job, hair and divorced during chemotherapy. I met a pilgrim who pulled me out of darkness with the gift of a stone. For years, that stone continued to reappear until I finally heeded its call and vowed to walk the 800 km trail of the Compostela de Santiago, in search of balance for my body, mind and soul. Without a map or a compass to guide me, I endured countless misadventures including dinner with my pseudo ex-husband, haunting dreams, and a plane collision with a flock of Canadian Geese. Despite each disaster that occurred, valuable lessons about life were inadvertently learned; while deep spiritual experiences motivated me to continue walking. Step by step, I began to heal my past with a gritty sense of humour , moving steadily towards Santiago with only the humble purpose of gratitude for the divine forces that had spared my life.
It’s quite a story. It had to be told.
Slyce: What does the term, “Building a Brand” mean?
HG: When I was writing this book I felt very comfortable in my kitchen on a borrowed computer. Now I need to stretch some more and market not only the book but myself as well. This is uncharted territory for me and a little out of my comfort zone. I am happy to “toot the horn” of other people but find it a challenge to do for myself. I believe in what I am trying to do and say so much that I am taking a blind leap and know that the Universe has my back. Fear is a useless emotion. I want to find like minded people who appreciate the path that I am on because that is the niche market that will appreciate what I write about the most. So building a brand means, be fearless, and stand by your work…which I do with every cell in my body.
Slyce: What steps are you taking to build your brand?
HG: I do a lot of interviews, I talk with each and every person that shows a true interest in what I am doing. I’ve had a lot of ‘teachers’ and I have to embrace that I am now in a position to teach others as well. It’s a huge responsibility that I love and hope to have more time for someday. I do speaking events and a lot of social media, along with book signings. All of these things are an opportunity to connect with people. That’s what we are doing here…connecting and trying to make sense of life and our role here. Witnessing each other’s lives is the root of all of that. It’s support and kindness. I love supporting other authors as well. The author world is amazing but can be daunting without the support of each other.
Slyce: What goals would you like to achieve as an author?
HG: It’s simple. I want to help people laugh while they heal. Pain is universal and I believe we should throw out lifelines to assist one another. When people read my book, they will get a giant soul tug and laugh their head off at the same time. I can’t think of anything I would want more than that if I was still struggling in my life. I’m just giving back really.
Slyce: Is there anything else cooking in the lab for Author Heather Gauthier?
HG: Absolutely. I am currently working on a book titled “A Cabinet of Curiosities”. I’m keeping mum on that one for the moment. But it’s going to be a deeper version of journeying with the heart and soul and of course in a comedic fashion.
Slyce: Do you write for the passion or the profit?
HG: Most definitely passion. I work full time and don’t need the money. I write because it heals me and my hope is that it will heal others too. I want to make people laugh while they are moving past obstacles in their lives. A Pilgrim placed a stone into my hand during the darkest time of my life and it changed my life. Now many years later, I am in the privileged position to place a stone into your hands by way of “The Pilgrim’s Stone: One Woman’s Unpredictable and Authentic Journey”. What you do with that stone is entirely up to you.
Slyce: Name two authors you’d love to work with.
HG: Elizabeth Gilbert and Sue Kenney
Slyce: Where can our viewers purchase your book?
HG: Amazon.com, Amazon Europe, www.authorheathergauthier.com
Slyce: How can our viewers contact you?
HG: www.authorheathergauthier.com; Heather Gauthier Author Page
Slyce: I’d like to thank guest, Author Heather Gauthier for joining us in “The Interrogation Room”!! Thank you my sistah. You were wonderful!!
Everyone, please go purchase, “The Pilgrim’s Stone: One Woman’s Unpredictable and Authentic Journey” by Author Heather Gauthier. Also, remember to check out her page on Facebook at: 
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